Team Maldives – comprised of Chef Aminath Hameed, Chef Ibrahim Fareed, and Chef Indra Kumar Limbu – are set to represent the Maldives for the first time at the Asian Pastry Cup 2018 to be held in Singapore.
The three chefs, Chef Aminath Hameed from Conrad Maldives Rangali Island and Chef Ibrahim Fareed from Soneva Fushi along with Chef Indra Kumar Limbu from Hulhulé Island Hotel, will compete in the event held from April 24 to 25 at the Singapore Expo during Food & Hotel Asia 2018.
Their participation is sponsored by leading resort supplier Bestbuy Maldives Pvt Ltd (BBM) and Maldives Exhibition & Conference Services (MECS). The Asian Pastry Cup, a unique culinary competition, sets pastry chefs against one another, culminating in a display of the most skillful and eloquent pastry creations.
“I believe that it’s a golden opportunity for us to compete in an international platform like this. We as team Maldives will take the full use of this opportunity and look forward to winning or bring a certain level of knowledge into the Culinary Industry. I’d like to thank BBM and MECS for their continuous support throughout this journey,” Chef Aiminath Hameed said.
“Our aim in this prominent Asian competition is to bring honour to our country. I would like to truly thank my family, Soneva Fushi kitchen team, BBM and MECS management and everyone who has helped for this opportunity,” Chef Ibrahim Fareed added.
Commenting on their participation, Chef Indra Kumar Limbu states: “It will be a great experience to meet world-class chefs to exchange ideas and it will help me to grow more to achieve the goals of becoming a world-renowned chef. Finally, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to my Hotel, Chef Ravi and BBM for their support”.
The Asian Pastry Cup is a competition held in the same format as World Pastry Cup, one of the most prestigious culinary competitions for pastry chefs. Each team consists of three individuals – two of which will create the showpieces, chocolate cakes and plated desserts, and a jury member who will be part of the judging which is led by the founder of the World Pastry Cup, Gabriel Paillasson.
Bestbuy Maldives Pvt Ltd (BBM), one of the leading resort suppliers in the archipelago, together with Maldives Exhibition & Conference Services (MECS), the organisers of the Hotel Asia Exhibition & International Culinary Challenge, believe in invigorating the skills of the Local Chefs and improving the Maldivian culinary industry, and have taken this initiative to sponsor the team at the Asian Pastry Cup for the very first time. Apart from this, they have sponsored local chefs to various other competitions in Dubai, Singapore and Hong Kong in the past.
BBM and MECS also take a very keen interest to impart knowledge, skills and latest techniques to the chefs in the Island Nation and has conducted a series of Masterclass Workshops of the topmost figures in the Global Culinary Industry such as award-winning Michelin Star Chefs, Bocuse d’Or Winners, Culinary Olympic Champions and Professors in Gastronomy just to name a few.
“For the past few years, we have set our goals to improve and set forth the culinary industry of the Maldives by grooming Maldivians and giving them an opportunity to showcase their skill and artistry in international platforms,” says Mohamed Mazloom, the CEO of BBM. “We have set the stepping stones in the right direction to further develop the Maldivian Culinary industry into world-class.”
A Special Training Programme will also be conducted at the Hulhulé Island Hotel from March 9 to 12 by Award Winning Pastry Chef Leslie Teong and World-Renowned Chef Alan Palmer. The four-day Training Camp will expose the Maldivian Chefs to the latest techniques and methods of the Pastry.
One of the Official Founding Partners of the Asian Pastry Cup, Ravi Fruit, is represented in the Maldives by Bestbuy Maldives (BBM) who would be jointly hosting this training with Maldives Exhibition & Conference Services (Pvt) Ltd.
